Vintage Yashica MG-1 camera

This camera is not tested for functionality but it is a good display item.

Price:RM120

Yashica MG-1

This is a typical fixed lens 35mm rangefinder from the 1970s, but with a body on the large side. The lens is a fixed Yashinon 45/2.8 which focuses from about 1m to infinity and takes 55mm filters. The aperture priority exposure system is measured by a CdS meter above the lens. CdS metering requires batteries. Two LEDs on the top of the body indicate slow speed and over-exposure. The camera was available with either a black or chrome body.

Yashica MG-1 (1975)


The MG-1 was released in 1975. It is a leaf-shuttered 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera with aperture-priority automatic exposure. The MG-1 has a 45mm f/2.8 Yashinon lens. According to 1980 - December, 1986

A mighty good camera, Yashica MG-1 is. It's made for young and old . . . for both outdoor and indoor shooting in color or B & W. And the pictures it delivers are quality all over. To top it all, no difficult procedure is involved. In fact, it offers the smoothest handling ever.

 Film type 135 (35mm)

 Picture size 24mm x 36mm

 Lens Yashinon f/2.8 45mm lens, four elements in three groups.

 Shutter Electronic-controlled leaf-type shutter with continuously variable speeds from 1/500 sec. to about 2 seconds; built-in self-timer; direct X contact shoe. Shutter speed sets automatically at 1/30 sec. when Auto lever is adjustable to flash setting.

 Viewfinder Bright frame finder with parallax correction marks; shows yellow and red exposure indicator arrows.

 Exposure meter Fully automatic 'Top-Eye' CdS exposure
control; precise shutter speed assuring correct exposure is set automatically through pre selection of exposure symbol (lens aperture); EV range from EV2 to 17 (ASA 100); exposure indicator lamps in viewfinder and on camera top-yellow signaling slow shutter speed.


 ASA range From ASA 25; to 800

 Film Advance Single action film advance lever advances the exposed frame and cocks the shutter.

 Battery One 5.6V mercury battery (Eveready E164, UCAR E 164, Mallory PX32 or equivalent.)

 Size and Weight; 140.6 x 72 x 82 mm; ~620 g

This is one of the "Last Samurais" before the "Plastic Age". The Yashica MG-1 is a "full size" rangefinder. Some wouldn't like its automatic functions but its a feature which makes it easy to use. The almost total lack of manual control is no doubt a limitation. It is achieved with a higher cost. The Yashica MG-1 is however designated to a person who did not put value on such oddity.